Homemade Boat Crew Rescued by Coast Guard

NEW YORK–The Coast Guard rescued two people from their home made boat after it lost power and began taking on water one mile east of Sandy Hook, N.J., at approximately 3:30 p.m. today.

In a distress call placed over marine band radio, Colin Cote, of Waterbury, VT., reported his vessel, The Inconvenient Truth, lost power and was taking on water in one to two foot seas. In an effort to stabilize the vessel, Cote dropped anchor approximately 200 yards from shore.

A 41-foot rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook arrived on scene shortly after to assess the situation.

“The vessel was not seaworthy,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Clay Wilbanks, coxswain of the Coast Guard rescue boat. “It was held together with plywood and resin and was taking on water in the one to two foot chop.”

The vessel was first placed in a stern tow; however the D-ring attached to the vessel broke free. The crew placed the boat in a side tow in an effort to bring it toward the beach.

“After the ring broke free there were no more fixtures to tow the vessel,” said Wilbanks. “We placed the vessel in a side tow but it was getting battered pretty badly and breaking apart.”

The Inconvenient Truth broke into pieces 50 yards from the Sandy Hook Park beach around 6 p.m. The Sandy Hook park police are surveying the beach for the remains of the vessel. No pollution was reported.

The crew of The Inconvenient Truth were attempting to sail from Staten Island, N.Y., to Florida via the Intracoastal Waterway, a 3,000 mile waterway used by recreational and commercial vessels that spans the length of the Eastern Seaboard.

Both passengers were wearing life jackets, there are no reports of injuries.

The vessel has a previous Captain of the Port Order not to sail due to lack of navigational lights.

The Coast Guard would like to remind boaters to have their vessels inspected before any journey. Free safety inspections and equipment checks can be obtained from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron.